By Dan McLeister
For The Elmhurst Independent
City Council voted to join the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission “in light of the ongoing, continuing negative impacts of airplane runway noise from O’Hare Field that are frequently articulated by residents.”
A resident from N. Kenilworth said at an August 1st City Council meeting that it was almost like an earthquake as a shower curtain fell and glasses broke about 3 a.m. on a recent Saturday.
City Manager Jim Grabowski told aldermen at the August 1st meeting that things were anything but quiet recently as changing airplane flight patterns came over Elmhurst as part of a six-month airport plan to “fly quiet” by rotating routes over various suburbs.
He said the Mayor and he would be writing a letter to the Commission to oppose the testing.
“We are not waiting (for more runways to be added],” Mayor Steve Morley said. “We will be aggressive.”
More runways are scheduled for 2020. Grabowski noted that runways would not be expanded until more gates are added. There is a $300 million proposal to add nine new gates.
Alderman Bob Dunn (2nd Ward) stated that residents called him about beds shaking and that there was a lot of chatter on social media.
Alderman Norm Leader (2nd Ward) noted that he too had received a lot of calls about “low flying airplanes in the dead of night.”
“We will continue to protest mightily,” he assured.
The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission was formed
- To determine certain Noise Compatibility Projects and Programs to be implemented in the O’Hare area;
- To oversee an effective and impartial noise monitoring system;
- To advise the City of Chicago concerning O’Hare-related noise issues;
- To provide a forum for direct citizen engagement.
The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission may make recommendations to the City of Chicago regarding noise reduction programs at O’Hare, including but not limited to:
- the use of new technologies and flight patterns;
- preferential runway usage;
- implementation of sound insulation programs;
- implementation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standard noise abatement, take-off, and high altitude approach procedures.
The O’Hare Noise Commission also shall cooperate with the City of Chicago in seeking agreements with the airlines using O’Hare and the FAA, as appropriate, with respect to aircraft noise mitigation and related matters.
